How can we tap the collective wealth of our species so that everyone can benefit?

Question

We have the ability to produce wonderous things, provide food for all people, give everyone a decent place to live, and so on and so forth. Yet we place artificial roadblocks in every path so that most people live out lives of desparation or at least at far below their potential. Think of what could happen if the vast potential of 6 billion brains could be tapped because they no longer had to worry about basic survival or about attaining a decent level of comfort.

Is this a utopian pipe dream? I thnk not, because with collective intelligence comes new ideas and a means to solve current world problems.

I would like to see a system to replace the money based system we currently have for allocating planet resources. The rich should not be the only ones to benefit from our collective wealth. It should go to all of us because all of us contribute to it in one form or another.

Answer 1

We could move away from a global economy, and start encouraging local economies with different economic systems. We could all learn from seeing how different economies work. As you pointed out, our economy isn't very good at distributing wealth, or even necessities, and it seems to be chewing up our natural resources at an alarming rate.

Here are a few starters, aside from capitalism and socialism: the "sharing economy," "participatory economy," and the "automated economy." Yeah, I know they sound like pipe-dreams, but serious economists have started looking into them, and they've found a lot that's workable. Why not let some people give them a spin?

Answer 2

Wow. You should study capitalism more. It sounds like just what you want.

But, based on your question, I think you've confused capitalism as a tool for the rich. Quite the opposite. Capitalism aligns the interest of the individual with the interest of the "collective". Good thing too, because us humans, by our very nature, are very self-interested. Probably a factor of evolution, as the altruists were by and large picked off.

The "collective" or central planning fails miserably because it ignores this basic human fact. It would likely be wonderful if, by human nature, we put the interests of the collective ahead of our own self-interests. But that would likely take several hundred thousand years of evolution where genes that put the interests of the collective ahead of their own interests are somehow selected for survival ahead of the self-interested genes. However, I can't envision an environment that would make such a selection.

So, I encourage you to study capitalism a bit closer. Also, instead of filling yourself with rage and jealousy of the wealthy, take a closer look at what they've done for society. Many of them have made significant contributions to the advancement of our standard of living and that's why they are wealthy. Certainly, there are some cheats too. But, I'd rather have the system that has advanced the standard of living so rapidly over the past 100 years with a few cheats than a system that collapses entirely when a few cheats gain control of it.

Answer 3

I agree with you to the extent that there can be a more equitable distribution of wealth among at least American society. Modifying the globalization of trade to the extent that it is "fair trade" plus the expulsion of 12,000,000 illegal immigrants from the U.S.A. would be a good start in the economy's deconcentration of wealth. I am against liberal Robin Hood tactics of taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
Another conclusion that we as a nation must reach is that one does not have the right to live in an area where there is no jobs while being dependent upon the government. I am for a government program that would transport the people from hign unemployment areas to areas where jobs are.
Capitalism will inherently distribute the wealth of a nation disproportionately - the extent of that disproportionality can be minimized if we were willing to take the appropriate steps.

Answer 4

The absolute best system that could possibly be in place is one where each individual is free to pursue his or her own passion or whatever one believes they are best at. That is, among available alternatives, one should pick what one can be most productive at (making a choice based upon skill, income potential, work satisfaction, etc.) That would be the best on the production side. On the consumption side, the best system is one where one is freely able to choose what goods are best from the available alternatives through one's own personal judgment - if I value a nicer car over a nicer house, I will allocate more of my income to a nicer car; if my neighbor has the opposite preference, he will allocate more to his house. By making free choices about what to produce and what to consume, the price of goods will drop because everyone will work towards doing what they do best, and therefore it will get done more cheaply; likewise, the best products will be purchased and everyone's standard of living increases.

No centrally planned system can achieve such a result. The only way to know where the best goods are is through the collective intelligence known as the market. Allowing the market to work freely tends toward greater efficiency and a higher standard of living for all.

So what's the system you want? Free market capitalism without state interference, except to prevent coercive force. Namely, American Libertarianism.

Answer 5

this is a difficult question with a not so simple answer . . .your absolutely write and i agree with you 100%. But do you have a solution that woudl work . . .i dont either, we know the problem but cant always come up with a solution. you also have to factor in the greedy people, people have millons and billons of dollars but they are to stingy to help the poor the hurt and the hungry. There ar epeople who have such a vast knowledge within their own minds, but they wont share with others because they want to know more than everybody else. i alsways ask the question . . .why are we over building iraq when we have veitnam and world war 2 veterans homeless and dyign on the street . . .they were celebrated when they fought yet they come home and are forgotten

Answer 6

You wrote in your question:
"The rich should not be the only ones to benefit from our collective wealth"

Wow, that is such a fallacy to base your questions,desires, and opinions upon.

Further examine! Good luck! I wish you an abundance of peace and love. Cost: zero.

Answer 7

"The poor will always be with us."
Unfortunately there are people who are passionate about your belief, yet they also believe they should not have to work, at all.
As a man, I appreciate the challenges God places before me, that's when I can lend on him for strenght and guidance.
Those who earn, know how to spend. (Sometimes silly). yet it is yours. Those who can not maintain a little will not be able to manage alot.
Check it out, where are all the new toys on Christmas Day? All over the floor. Yet give that child one toy and she/he cherishes it.

Answer 8

You are describing communism - it has failed miserably over the last 100 years.

Answer 9

you must be a liberal.